To All Jews Where Ever They May Be, Happy Pesach BUT.....

This week it occurs that Jews in Israel and all over the world are celebrating the pesach, the question that always cross by my mind during the Jews celebrating festivals is that "Is it necessary for a Jew to celebrate his festival with delight, that the life of thousands of Palestinians would be affected by more closures and "security procurements"?

During the Jews festival times, if a Palestinian intends to move out of his city or village for some reason, then he should count in his mind the waste of time he would have while waiting on one of the many checkpoints that are waiting for him all over the road, and not to forget to hold his ID in his hand because it might be under request from one of the Israeli soldiers on these checkpoints to check over him, for the purpose of taking care of the security of celebrating Jews in the settlements around, and in Israel. (That if he didn’t find that the road is closed for that day and entry is not allowed).

I am a Palestinian and my purpose in life is not ruining Jews celebrations, whether the pesach or any other celebration, what the government of Israel must recognize is that it must stop the wasting of our time, and stop the wasting of money by putting so many checkpoints and taking so many “security procurements” that are not that necessary. Terror and violence is not my daily purpose that I wake up for, and so are many Palestinians living on this land.

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Thank you Jim thoughtful and respectful dialogue is something that we keep on trying to reach so one day we will reach to a bigger outcome of peace and liberty for two nations.

We can hear stereotypes everywhere, and unless we make sure about them and keep in our minds that people are different all over this earth then they might continue to be there. working on revealing the true facts and reaching a point of balance away from EGO will lead us somewhere, I myself hear many things about USA and people there but I don’t take any thing as a fact unless I realize and recognize.

I hope that this site will provide us with a way to be able to distinguish to some extent and to learn.

First, I must say that it is wonderful to hear such thoughtful and respectful dialogue among Palestinians and Israelis.

I'm an American. (Yes, I realize most of you would figure that out pretty quickly without my saying it.) I don't think I'm a "typical" American, but I'm not even sure what that means. I do know that most Americans have a much more simplistic view of Israel and Palestine -- and of everyone else in the rest of the world. We tend to use lots of stereotypes -- but some of us use one set of stereotypes and some of us use a different set of stereotypes. I hope more Americans join this network, because I think it can open our eyes to see beyond the easy stereotypes.

I am not a big speaker. I can understand your revolt from the restrictions resulting from the conflict. I face restrictions too: I can not go nowhere without being asked to open my bug for inspection. I cannot visit neighboring countries neither parts of west bank I liked to visit once upon a time. I recognize though that your restrictions are harder in every day’s life. Once, by mistake, I drove to Nablus on my way to Cfar Kasem. I show my map to a Palestinian policeman and he says it was written in Yiddish... I thought to myself that if peace should ever arrive it won't be during my generation. One big restriction you face is the perhaps the necessity to hide your identity in this forum. I prey for a day where no one will have to hide anything. If you wish you can find me (and my cat dingi) on skype under guy.chemla

I believe it was Gandhi who said that we will never see an end to war and killing.....until we grieve for the dead children of our 'enemies'.....as we grieve for our own. Rather than cling to our own separate defenses and narratives......perhaps we can heal our own wounds....and then be available to empathize with our opposing brothers and sisters. Expecting the 'other' to validate our own positions......is unrealistic folly. We are all wounded and cannot be completely available until we deal with our own emotional issues. Perhaps someday, we will have Truth & Reconciliation sessions....as did the people in South Africa. We have much work to do, though.....before we can sit together.

I have to give another perspective which I think is important for Palestinians to understand- the average Israeli’s perspective. The average Israeli figures that if we make your lives difficult enough, the violence will end. This is what Israelis feel when violence is committed by Palestinians. The remainder of the time when our lives are quiet, the average Israeli simply chooses not to care if you are suffering. I believe (as do many) that Israel is making a mistake with regards to the Palestinians. I think we should be smarter and more compassionate than that because the average Palestinian does not commit violence against us so why should the entire population pay so heavily for the violent actions of the minority. And truthfully, if our actions aren't stopping the violence, we should be thinking of another way of dealing with each other.

But understand that it was the violence perpetrated by Palestinians that created the checkpoints, the closures, the reactionary violence, the blockade on Gaza, etc. You could argue that the violence was a result of the occupation and we could argue about who started first which would be pointless because we have two populations each with their own narrative and neither is going to change the narrative of the other.

I think it is important for Palestinians to understand that our fears and need for security is legitimate and to tell us that they understand our fears of violence and our very real need for security and safety. Just as Israelis denounce the occupation, I think Palestinians have to be more vocal against Palestinians violence and more understanding of our security needs.

I can imagine how hard it is for Palestinians to voice this. But it is precisely these words that the average Israeli needs to hear. I believe the average Israeli will make peace with a Palestinian who tries to understand how it feels to be an Israeli Jew. Having already sympathetic people further sympathize with you is nice but in my opinion, it will not move the mainstream in Israel to demand that your lives improve.

It can be good practice to add the pray for the Palestinian liberation to our Israeli Seder (and all over the world). I know that we (my family) add this reference as we see the concept of freedom as general and apply to all.

During all Israeli celebrations we have gathering and change of behavior. Since we experienced some violent attacks on these times we protect ourselves as a state and restrict the Palestinians.

Dear Hiba,
It is sad for me that our celebration of liberty means the opposite for people so nearby, and that our celebration is on their account. I think most people in Israel aren't completely aware of this, or just choose not to think of it. Thank you for posting this blog, it is important.
I hope that next year will find you in better times,
Noa